Wearing your jewelry over a short period of time can make your jewelry get smuged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, even the natural oils from your skin can create a film on gemstones, reducing their brilliance. In addition, chemicals in the air can oxidize or discolor the mounting. Keeping your jewelry clean will maximize its beauty. Here are four methods of cleaning your jewelry.

* Detergent bath

Prepare a small bowl of warm suds using any mild household liquid detergent. Brush jewelry with a soft brush until you have created a lather around it. With the jewelry on a plastic or metal strainer, rinse off with warm water (be sure not to clean your jewelry over the drain !). Pat your jewelry dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

* Cold water soak

Make a solution of 4 parts cold-water and 1 part very mild dishwashing detergent. Soak the pieces for several minutes. Lift out and tap gently around all sides of the mounting with a soft brush. Rinse the pieces in the solution once more and drain on tissue paper.

* Quick-Dip Method

Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry cleaners, choosing the one that is best for the kind of stones and metals in your jewelry. Read the label carefully and follow the instructions. Do not touch your clean diamonds with your fingers, as the oils from your hands will leave a film on the stone.

* The Ultrasonic cleaner

There are many types of these small machines available to the public today. They will clean any piece of jewelry that can be soaked in a liquid within a matter of minutes. These machines often have a metal cup, which is filled with water and detergent. When the machine is turn-on, a high-frequency turbulence is created. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners on emeralds.

NOTE : Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and warning before using these machines. The above methods are not appropriate for pearls, opals, lapis, corals and other gems. A very quick dip in plain lukewarm water is suggested for these fragile pieces.